Unsurprisingly, Whitehall dominated the list of all-West Michigan Conference Lakes honors when postseason awards began rolling in for local football players. The Vikings have also earned several all-region players as voted on by the state coaches association, with more postseason awards likely still to come at the state level.
Whitehall had first team performers selected at most of the available positions, including every position on defense - fitting for a squad that allowed only one touchdown in the entire six-game league schedule. The team posted a 10-1 overall record and earned its third consecutive conference title.
Viking first-team picks on that side of the ball included Trenton TenBrock at defensive end, Kadin Waller and Jamar Hill at defensive tackle, Parker Mott at linebacker, and Ca’Mar Ready at defensive back.
Mott was in on seemingly every play from the linebacker spot, racking up a team-high 40 solo tackles and another team-high 75 assists. He also forced a safety for the Vikings. TenBrock added 35 tackles and was second in assists, with 46. He had six tackles for a loss and an interception.
Up front, Waller and Hill had more modest statistics but took up a lot of attention and made it possible for their teammates to rack up numbers. Waller had 21 tackles and 19 assists, with a fumble recovery, a sack and three tackles for loss. Hill added 16 tackles and 37 assists, with two sacks and five tackles for a loss. Ready posted 24 tackles and 20 assists, with two tackles for a loss and a pick, from the cornerback position.
On offense, Whitehall’s star trio of senior quarterback Kyle Stratton, senior wideout Trannon Aylor and junior wideout Camden Thompson carried the day. Stratton ran the show, completing over 67 percent of his passes for 2,152 yards and 30 touchdowns, with only two interceptions. He also ran for 901 yards and 14 more scores.
His two top weapons had remarkably similar statistical seasons, which like Stratton’s could have been even more gaudy had the Vikings not put so many games away early. Aylor led the team in receiving yards, with 780, on 33 catches, 11 of which were for touchdowns. Thompson led in catches, with 36, and had 706 receiving yards and eight scores. He added 69 rushing yards.
Linemen Jack Ambrose and Blake Morningstar anchored an effective Viking offensive line and were also named first team all-conference. Malcolm Earvin, a multitalented offensive weapon, earned the first team at-large spot in the conference, posting 702 offensive yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.
Aylor was also named first team kick return specialist; he returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Orchard View.
Ten Vikings earned all-region honors, all of them conference honorees: Ambrose, Morningstar, Thompson, Aylor, Stratton, Waller, Hill, TenBrock, Ready and Earvin.
Montague had several players honored at the conference level as well. On offense, Adam Baird and Paul Olson received first team accolades. Baird was the Wildcats’ top rusher, going for 843 yards on an impressive seven yards per carry despite Montague defenses keying on him. He had 14 rushing touchdowns. Olson led the Wildcats in receiving, with 36 catches for 602 yards and four scores.
Joe Winkleman was Montague’s lone first team pick on the defensive end. Winkleman had 45 solo tackles, including four for a loss and a sack, and 12 assists, and was the centerpiece of the Wildcat defensive front.
Earning honorable mention for Whitehall were, on offense, tackle Connor Nash; on defense, defensive end Everett Napier and defensive back Aylor; and on special teams, kicker Kyler Frees. For Montague, honorable mentions were, on offense, center Winkleman; and on special teams, punter Mason Darke and kick return specialist Ryver Jarka.
Reeths-Puffer first team players in the O-K Green Conference were, on offense, running back Brody Johnson; and on defense, defensive lineman Brooks Johnson, linebacker Caiden Bolduc, and defensive backs Kameron Coleman and Bryce Ross. In addition, tight end Travis Ambrose and offensive lineman Ben Adams earned honorable mention. Full season statistics for those players were not available.
